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15 Replacement Words For Your Resume That Scream 'Look At Resu-Me!'

Resumes can make or break whether you get an interview, let alone a job.

JaelAnn Hoover

Aug 06, 2018

National Writers Society

185

15 Replacement Words For Your Resume That Scream 'Look At Resu-Me!'

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Resumes can make or break whether you get an interview, let alone a job. So, of course, you want a resume that screams, "Look at resu-me!"

The problem is finding the words to express all the things you've done. It is very easy to choose inaccurate words. I bet you didn't catch the "mistake" in that last sentence. Let me share some advice from N.H. Kleinbaum, author of Dead Poets Society:

"So avoid using the word 'very' because it's lazy. A man is not very tired, he is exhausted. Don't use very sad, use morose. Language was invented for one reason, boys: To woo women. And, in that endeavor, laziness will not do. It also won't do in your essays."

Language can also be used to woo the employers looking at your resume.

Here are 15 superb replacement words for your resume.

Developed

Most people believe that creativity is wonderful, which it is. But try replacing created with a more developed word.

Organized

You made plans, were responsible for and oversaw a project. Organize your choice of words like you organized that project!

Strengthened

Employers are looking for your strengths. What if one of your strengths is strengthening what is already in place? Try replacing improved with strengthened.

Mentored

It feels good when you help someone else, and it looks good on paper too. You can lead a team or be a team player, but you'll probably have better results if you mentor the team.

Diagnosed

This may not work for medical-related fields, but it shows analysis skills. Did you find a problem in the budget or diagnose an inaccuracy?

Systematized

Are you the person who has all of their folders color coded? You could say that you're detail-oriented or a strategic thinker, but maybe you're systematized.

Conceptualized

We're back to those creative skills. Can you take a concept from your mind and turn it into reality? You just conceptualized.

Surveyed

Research skills are great. When you were looking for an answer, you probably looked at countless options and surveyed them to find an optimal solution.

Negotiated

You can make or handle arrangements for a partnership, but negotiations take more effort.

Founded

Do you ever hear that a company was "started in 1952?" No, you hear that it was "founded in 1952."

You didn't start the math club at your college, you founded it.

Centralized

Did you bring everyone together, unite, synergize or join forces? Centralized teams are focused on the center of the issue at hand.

Edited

Unless you're an editor, this is a great replacement when explaining how you revised, fine-tuned or rearranged a proposal.

Collaborated

Unless you've ever been an assistant, your job title didn't include assisting with a project. It's great to contribute to the project, but better when you can collaborate with others.

Secured

Were you responsible for the discussions that led to new finances or partnerships? You secured those finances or partnerships.

Volunteered

You can be the hard-worker that takes on new opportunities and challenges, but it looks better when you've volunteered to accept those jobs.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Recommended for you

15 Replacement Words For Your Resume That Scream 'Look At Resu-Me!'

Resumes can make or break whether you get an interview, let alone a job.

Developed

Organized

Strengthened

Mentored

Diagnosed

Systematized

Conceptualized

Surveyed

Negotiated

Founded

Centralized

Edited

Collaborated

Secured

Volunteered

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10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

Who knows where we would be without them.

1. Thank you for laughing at my jokes, even when they really aren’t funny.

2. Thank you for singing unbearably loud with me all the time.

3. Thank you for letting me vent to you for hours about anything and basically being my personal therapist.

4. Thank you for ordering pizza with me at 2 in the morning.

5. Thank you for all the movie days when we don’t feel like moving.

6. Thank you for being my workout buddy everyday.

7. Thank you for sharing your closets with me.

8. Thank you for taking naps with me at random hours during the day.

9. Thank you for cleaning our home with me when we absolutely need to.

10. Thank you for all the rides when it’s late and you don’t want me to walk home alone in the dark.

11. Thank you for studying with me in our kitchen when we didn't want to go the library.

12. Thank you for making dinner with me.

13. Thank you for helping with my hair, makeup and outfit every time we go out.

14. Thank you for taking countless ugly pictures with me.

15. Thank you for not judging me when I go too long without showering.

16. Thank you for making our apartment feel like a second home.

17. Thank you for being there through all of our boy troubles.

18. Thank you for giving me a hug when I feel homesick.

19. Thank you for getting excited with me when one of us gets a good grade on an exam.

20. Thank you for still being my friend and not judging me when I say or do dumb things.

21. Thank you for telling me what I should do when I am sick.

22. Thank you for dancing horribly with me everywhere we go.

23. Thank you for staying up super late with me when we aren’t tired or can’t sleep.

24. Thank you for being super weird with me.

25. Thank you for all the unforgettable college memories.

26. And most of all, thank you for being the best friends a girl could have.

I may or may not be stressing right now.

1. "What do I have to study for?"

2. "What class do I need to study for the most?"

3. "I’m going to ace this."

4. "Focus!"

5."I have no idea what I'm reading."

6. "I should call my smart friend about this."

7. "I’m going to fail. I’m going to fail."

8. "I’m dropping out of school."

9. "What grade do I have to get on the final to pass the class?"

10. "Oh, no, I have to do good."

11. "I shouldn’t have procrastinated all semester."

12. "I wanna go to bed."

13. "We did not learn this!"

14. "I should go get food."

15. "Why do we even have finals?"

16. "I don’t want to be at the library."

17. "Get off your phone."

18. "I can watch Netflix for like 20 minutes and then go back to studying."

19. "I shouldn’t have watched Netflix."

20. "You have to study now!"

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Remember you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine. — Snow White

The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it. — Rafiki

You don't have time to be timid. You must be bold and daring. — Lumière

If watching is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without ya. — Laverne

Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one. — Grandmother Willow

Always let your conscience be your guide. — Jiminy Cricket

To infinity and beyond. — Buzz Lightyear

Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved. — Pooh

Let it go. — Elsa

If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all. — Thumper

Today's special moments are tomorrow's memories. — Genie

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